Camp 13
Most
people in Newfoundland and Labrador have someone in their family who has worked
“in the woods.” Some of these workers were employed seasonally—they fished in
the summer and headed to the lumber camps in the winter—while others were
full-time loggers who worked year-round. Camp
13: Working in the Lumber Woods captures a time and place in this province’s
not-too-distant past, illustrating in fine, well-researched detail the
day-to-day friendships, struggles, triumphs, and tragedies of a hard-working
people employed in a way of life that is long gone but never forgotten.
Recently AE spoke with the book’s author Byron White.
What inspired/motivated
you to tell this story?
I’ve
always loved history. I’ve always thought it important to know your heritage,
your roots, and your past. I have a strong belief that if we don’t know where
we come from then we don’t know where we’re going. This book, Camp 13: Working in the Lumber Woods, is
based on historical fact; it serves as a window to peer back into a brief segment
of our history.
Where did the characters
come from?
Because
this book is historical, it is based on real people. Over a period of fifteen
years, I interviewed numerous men who worked in the lumber woods in
Newfoundland and Labrador. Many of these surface in the book, but the story is
centred around a few prominent characters who work at Camp 13 in the Southwest
Gander River area of Central Newfoundland. Many families in rural Newfoundland had
men who worked at such camps. My family was no exception. I knew many of the
book’s characters personally. The book was a labour of love.
Did the work come
together quickly or did you really need to work at it?
Both.
I have research material that covers a 50 year period; I found it difficult to
bring together a coherent book that would do justice to that time frame. When I
narrowed the time frame and focused on a three year period at Camp 13, the book
came together fairly quickly.
What was the most
challenging aspect of the process?
For
me, the most challenging aspect was self discipline. I have many interests and
I’m a terrible procrastinator. In order to write the book, I had to treat it as
a job. I set aside time in the early morning and night and scheduled myself in
to write in those time slots. Some of my friends thought that was a bit weird,
but it worked well. Writing is serious business and it requires serious
thought; if you’re going to be a writer you have to treat it as such.
What was the most
rewarding part of the process?
The
most rewarding part was being able to transfer mental images from your head to
the written page. When you get it right, you know it! It’s a great feeling. The
second most rewarding aspect is having people read and enjoy what you have
written. It makes all the long hours worthwhile.
What did you learn
during the process?
I
learned that writing takes work, commitment, and discipline. You have to love
what you’re doing to be successful.
How did you feel when
the book was finished?
I
felt like “Wow!” I’ve finished. Writing a book is something like rearing a
child. It’s always there and it takes a lot of TLC to get it to stand alone.
You feel happy and proud to see it done correctly.
What has the response
been like so far from critics and family?
So
far the response has been totally positive. I’ve had emails and phone calls
from family, friends, and total strangers. Gratifyingly, I find that the book
has appeal in other logging regions such as Maine and New Brunswick. It’s been
very encouraging and the book is selling quite well!! Of course, I expect to
get a few negative comments along the way. Hopefully, they won’t be too harsh
and I can learn something and move on!!!!!!
Has there been any
discussion about bringing the book to the big screen?
No.
The book has only recently been released, but it would be a good discussion to
have.
What’s next on your
creative agenda?
My
first book was a work of poetry. This book, Camp
13, is historical fiction. The research for Camp 13 brought in a wealth of material. If my publishers at Flanker
Press are interested, I may do a sequel, another book of historical fiction.
What made you want to be
a writer?
I
can trace my love for writing back to my high school days. I had a teacher, Mr.
Cyril Cuff, he’s still alive and living in Lewisporte, Newfoundland. He had a
great gift for language; he would stand in front of the class and orate and
recite poetry and quote Shakespeare… He made the whole experience lively and
magnificent and enjoyable! He passed his passion on to me. He was the first to
tell me that I had “a gift” and could become a successful writer.
What makes a good book?
I
guess the easy answer is sex and violence and scandal. That seems to sell well!
A really good book, of course, is more than that. Such a book finds an idea to dissect
and explore in an attempt to wrestle it to the ground and expose some deeper
truth. Hopefully, the writer can make it interesting for the reader at the same
time.
What are your thoughts
on Canadian Literature?
Canada
has produced a fine stable of writers, writers that measure up well against any
in the world. A common criticism is that Canadian writers are too provincial or
regional or nationalistic. I disagree. The first rule of writing is to know
your topic; Canadian writers simply follow that rule, in doing so they often
deal with universal themes. Four of my favourite Canadian writers are: Ray Guy,
Stephen Leacock, Lawrence Hill, and Mordecai Richler. Mordecai Richler’s Barney’s Version really appeals to me. And Lawrence Hill’s Book of Negroes is a
tremendous rendering of historical fiction.
Do you have any advice
for aspiring writers?
Yes,
I do. If you can write and you have an idea bouncing around inside your head
like a ping pong ball that won’t settle, discipline yourself. Set aside time,
do up a schedule and write! There’s no other way.
